Xona Space Systems is preparing to launch six satellites this month via a SpaceX rocket. This mission marks the start of the company's commercial navigation and timing service, designed as an alternative to government-run GPS networks.
The startup, founded in 2019 by five Stanford aerospace engineering graduates, has developed a unique architecture that avoids the need for expensive onboard atomic clocks. The system uses ground-based timing sources to maintain precision.
The Pulsar constellation will eventually consist of 258 satellites. The system aims to provide centimeter-level geolocation accuracy, which is significantly more precise than current GPS meter-level standards.
Xona has secured over $300 million in venture funding, including $20 million from the U.S. Space Force. The company plans to begin beta testing with customers once the satellites reach orbit.
The service is designed to be compatible with existing GPS receivers through software updates. Full coverage across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and South Korea is targeted for 2028.
